Ways to Drink Alcohol Mindfully During The Holiday Season

The holidays are here, and 3-course dinner invitations are beginning to come. Your calendar is filling up quickly right up to New Year’s Eve. We get it - being mindful in consuming alcohol, especially around the holiday season, is often much easier said than done. All of our best intentions and health-habits are put to test, as we seem to loosen our strict health regimes and begin to indulge a bit more. 

However, excessive alcohol consumption is never a good idea. It slows down your metabolism and causes damage and inflammation to your internal organs. The hidden calories and sugars in alcoholic beverages can add up quickly, which is certainly bad for your waistline. Below are some tips on how to drink mindfully this holiday season and hopefully help you to keep yourself in check.

Tip #1: Plan Ahead of Time

Planning your alcohol consumption ahead of time can assist with you being more present and mindful. Whether or not you have a holiday party to attend, it is always a good idea to have a good nutritious breakfast in the morning. Breakfast has been long known to help us set the tone and mood for the day. If you’re starting the day feeling healthy and strong, you’re less likely to overindulge on sugary drinks. On the other hand, when you are going through a range of emotions, such as stress, hunger, and boredom, you will be more tempted to drown yourself in alcohol and junk food.

More often than not, alcoholic beverages are the only choice served by the party host, making it too easy to just keep indulging. To avoid this, plan ahead and give yourself an option by bringing your own low-calorie non-alcoholic drinks. For instance, mineral water, sparkling water, apple cider, kombucha, or even iced tea can be a great alternative to bring to the party. Having the privilege to opt for non-alcoholic drinks is a great way to drink alcohol in moderation, whilst still having fun with your friends and family.

Tip #2: Monitor Your Intake

Having a drink or two to celebrate the festive season is inevitable. A good idea to avoid overconsumption of alcohol (and basically any treats) is to track everything you eat with a handy food diary. Being aware of the amount of calories you’re consuming will help you to stay mindful throughout the day, even at a party. Getting into the habit of recording everything you eat and counting your calories & macronutrient intake will help you to make better drinking decisions overtime. With greater awareness on how much you drink, you might find that you drink more slowly, and space out your drinks throughout the festive period between Christmas and New Year’s.

Another important tip is to always monitor the quality of what you are drinking. Whenever you can, always opt for good quality spirits, low-sugar/kombucha-based cocktails, and freshly-squeezed juice. Steer clear of premixes, cordial, syrups, sugary cocktails, and cheap wine and beer, since these drinks tend to be really high in calories and sugar. 

Tip #3: Don’t Forget to Exercise

Feeling tired after a big holiday feast? That feeling of fatigue is due to the high sugar content of alcoholic drinks, cakes, and biscuits, thus leaving you to feel extremely sluggish, bloated, and sick afterwards. 

To combat the sluggish feeling, include exercise as part of your daily routine. Regular physical activity helps with lifting your spirits, making you healthier in the long run. As a general recommendation, try to get 150 minutes of physical activity each week. The good news is, you don’t have to make a trip to the gym to join a High-Intensity workout class: a simple jogging or home workout will do the job.You can easily divide that 150 minutes into smaller chunks to make it enjoyable, such as 30 minutes of exercise over five days during the week. There are plenty of exercises that you can do in the comfort of your home, from pilates to yoga, jogging, running, and a glute workout with resistance bands. Looking for fitness bands to work out with? Get your Peach Builder booty bands now.

The Bottom Line

Christmas celebrations are festivities that are inseparable from alcohol, but that doesn’t mean you should drown yourself in a bottle of cheap wine everyday. Being aware of what and how much you eat and drink can help with making wise food and beverage choices. Start practicing mindful drinking and eating for a merrier and healthier holiday season.

To stay fit during the holiday season, incorporate a healthy amount of protein within your diet in conjunction with a fitness regime that includes strength training with resistance bands. Stay in shape and work towards your body goals this Holiday Season with Peach Builder booty bands, and always be mindful of how much alcohol you are drinking!